I feel so Proud to Have Shattered Stereotypes, Says Margaret Oguntala, First Female NSE President
Margaret Oguntala is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the first female to be elected president of this prestigious society. She tells Bennett Oghifo being NSE president makes her feel so proud to have broken barriers and shattered stereotypes, and that she is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the engineering profession
How does being the first female President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers make you feel?
Being the first female President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is a groundbreaking achievement, representing a significant milestone in the history of the engineering profession in Nigeria. I feel so proud to have broken barriers and shattered stereotypes, paving the way for future generations of female engineers to pursue leadership roles within the NSE and even beyond. It is indeed an honour to serve as a role model and inspiration to other women in the field, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and aspirations without limitations. At the same time, being the first female President comes with a sense of responsibility to effectively represent the interests of all NSE members, regardless of gender. I am committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the engineering profession, advocating for equal opportunities and recognition for all engineers, regardless of their backgrounds. As a woman and mother, who embraces the responsibility of nurturing life, I am determined to nuture engineering to new heights, by rebirthing the NSE for the Growth, Empowerment, and Advancement of Engineering in Nigeria. Overall, being the first female President of the NSE has been a profound empowering experience, allowing me to contribute to positive change in engineering and inspire others to believe in the limitless potential of women in Engineering.
Tell us your plans to make Nigerian Engineers relevant in nation building?
NSE is now on a transformative journey to elevate Engineering in Nigeria and as the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, I am deeply committed to advancing the role of Nigerian Engineers in nation building and ensuring their relevance in addressing the challenges facing our dear country. Let me tell you some of our strategic roadmap outlining our priorities. We are prioritising initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity, skills and competencies of Nigerian engineers, especially the young engineers to meet the evolving needs of the industry. We have started walking the talking. Right now, we are about to conclude with our partners on international trainings, world -class workshops and certification programmes. These will commence in a few weeks time. Also, it is our plan to champion initiatives that foster innovation and research within the engineering community, with a focus on a developing homegrown solution to local challenges. We are creating platforms for collaboration between engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, as well as support innovative projects and start up. We already have an engineering hub which we intend to scale up. Our goal is to position Nigeria as a hub for engineering. In addition, we have started contacting government agencies, policy makers, and stakeholders showing interest to work together and advocate for policies that promote the growth and development of the engineering profession in Nigeria. This includes but not limited to advocating for increased investment in infrastructure, adoption of innovative technologies, and the implementation of sustainable development practices Let me also add that we are prioritising Vocational Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (VSTEM) education to empower future leaders. We are supporting dedicated institutions with strategic endowments to ensure the thriving of VSTEM education for a generation of STEM leaders. For a greater Nigeria, we shall uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics within the profession, including adherence to codes of conduct, ethics, and best practices. We shall raise public awareness about the importance of engineering in nation–building and engage with local communities to address their needs and concerns. Overall, we shall harness the collective expertise, passion, and ingenuity of Nigerian Engineers to drive sustainable development, economic growth, and social progress in Nigeria. Together, we will build a brighter future for our country and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Give us an idea of how much Nigeria’s engineering firms have been affected by the nation’s struggling economy
The impact of Nigeria’s struggling economy on engineering firms has been significant, with several challenges affecting their operations. Engineering firms in Nigeria often face high operating costs, including expenses related to energy, transportation and security. The economic challenges facing the country such as inflation and rising fuel prices, have further increased these operating costs, squeezing profit margins for engineering firms. Access to financing is another challenge for many engineering firms in Nigeria, particularly small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs). Financial Institutions now hesitate to lend to engineering firms due to concerns about economic stability. Also, Nigeria’s economy has experienced significant currency fluctuations in recent years, with the depreciation of the naira against major currencies. Engineering firms especially those that import some materials from abroad now face higher costs due to the weakened purchasing power of the naira, affecting their profitability and competitiveness. In summary, the struggling economy in Nigeria has presented numerous challenges for engineering firms impacting their ability to grow, innovate, and contribute to the country’s development. Addressing these challenges will require concerted efforts from government and industry stakeholders to create a more conducive business environment and support the growth and sustainability of engineering firms in Nigeria.
What role can engineers play in the nation’s infrastructural development? Can some of them form a consortium that can bid for government jobs and prove they can compete with other firms?
Nigerian engineers play a pivotal role in the nation’s infrastructural development across various sectors, including transportation, energy, water resources, telecommunications, and urban development. Some of the key roles that Nigeria Engineers undertake in contributing to infrastructural development is the Designing and planning of infrastructure projects in order to meet the needs of communities while adhering to regulatory standards and environmental sustainability principles. They also oversee the construction and implementation of infrastructure projects, maintenance and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure assets, ensuring their functionality, safety and efficiency. Engineers drive innovation and technology adoption in infrastructural development by leveraging advancement in material, construction techniques and digital technologies. Regarding forming a consortium to bid for government jobs, Yes. Nigerian Engineers can form consortium to bid for government contracts and compete with other firms. By pooling their resources, expertise, and capabilities, engineers can demonstrate their collective capacity to undertake large – scale projects and address the infrastructure challenges facing Nigeria and driving sustainable growth and development.